Ugly Side: Part 3

Calgary Transit

To most, Calgary is a city that's deemed as "rich" by much of the country and world.  Yet, we have a 3rd world transit system. 

For starters, the C Train regularly breaks down.  Follow @calgarytransit on Twitter and you'll see an "issue" at least 3 times a week.   It is impossible to rely on this system to get you places on time.  Previous governments and their pocket book mentality have created a system suitable for a town of 100,000 people, not a major city.   Further to this, the C Train cars are not all air conditioned and the old ones have no air flow at all.  It can (and does) get to 40C in these cars in summer.  Sorry about your suit.  

Now you could always take the bus.  That is of course...if you can get ON the bus.   Take Route 3 for example.  It runs every 5 minutes yet the buses are full.  So full that often times a few of them will drive by before you can get on.  I used to use this bus then realized I was just smarter to walk to work.  Other routes are the same.  Full buses with no space at all.   And if that's not bad enough the drivers turn on the heat when we don't need heat. Do we need heat in a bus with 200 people squished in like sardines?  Often times it's so hot in the buses water vapour drips down the glass.  Again, if you live anywhere in the core, just say no to the bus and walk. It's easier and faster.  Trust me.

Other examples of Calgary Transit stupidity:  When the 10th Ave C Train station was closed down, there was no warning.  When I called Calgary Transit, they told me it was "on the website".   Really?  Do they think I wake up every morning and log into the Calgary Transit website to check the news?  I found out thanks to local media 1 day before it happened.  Clearly other people did too because I walked by the platform the next morning and there was hundreds of confused people wondering what happened. 

Or how about Chinook Station.  This is one of the busiest stations in the city and guess what they are going to do with it?  They're going to close it down while they rebuild it.  25,000 people a day use this station but instead of coming up with a plan, they close it down for apparently 8 months to rebuild it.  The result will be bedlam.  

Or how about expanding the platforms to 4 cars.  This process is going to take something like 3 years.  Oddly, they can build and entire LRT line in less than 3 years (West LRT).  4 car trains would alleviate crowding but they casually set out to change the platforms.  Meanwhile in other parts of the world they can build huge dams, massive skyscrapers & or airports in less than 3 years.   In short it's a fucking joke.  It's another reminder that Calgary Transit doesn't give a shit about YOU the customer. 

I used to be a regular Calgary Transit user.  I then decided I'd just as soon walk to work.  I do.  I spent 90 minutes a day walking to work and home, but it's more pleasant (and sometimes faster than the bus).  No overcrowding, no jerking buses sending you flying.  I also save 94 bucks a month (sans a few bus tickets on rain days). 

Oh and one last thing.  Calgary Transit has no AC on buses.  Needless to say, during summer, it's very sunny and very hot here.  The buses heat up to the point where people pass out.  I've seen men and women dripping with sweat.  It's uncomfortable walking home with business clothes on in 30C, but less so than being on the bus.  At least you get fresh air.